Short answer: the Wharfedale Aura 2. It ranks #13 of 222 bookshelf speakers by sound quality, rated 4.6/5, at $2,799; the Buchardt Audio E50 ranks #16, rated 4.5/5, and costs $4,600, so there is little reason to consider the other one.
The case for the Wharfedale Aura 2: A mini tower style bookshelf speaker with nearly flat response, huge clean output, wide sound, and bass that reaches deep in most rooms. Watch for: A breakup/peak around 13kHz can sound sharp or shrill depending on the track, the main tonal flaw noted.
The Buchardt Audio E50 is the deeper-bass pick. A bookshelf speaker with remarkably deep bass for its size, a very neutral midrange, and low distortion, with no need to sit near a wall. Its bass reaches about 40Hz before falling 3dB, against 56Hz for the Wharfedale Aura 2. The catch: A roughly 3dB dip in the upper midrange/lower treble softens attack and dialogue clarity: the reviewer’s main complaint, and it’s baked into the crossover rather than a directivity artifact, so it’s audible both on and off axis.
Buy the Wharfedale Aura 2. It is rated higher for sound quality than the Buchardt Audio E50 and costs less, so only choose the other one for a particular feature it does better.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Passive Home rankings.
A mini tower style bookshelf speaker with nearly flat response, huge clean output, wide sound, and bass that reaches deep in most rooms.
A bookshelf speaker with remarkably deep bass for its size, a very neutral midrange, and low distortion, with no need to sit near a wall.
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Specifications Side By Side
| Wharfedale Aura 2 | Buchardt Audio E50 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $2799 per pair | $4600 per pair |
| Ranked | #13 of 222 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers | #16 of 222 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 30Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 34Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 56Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 40Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Dimensions | 22.1”H x 11.3”W x 15.3”D (561.3 x 287 x 388.6 mm) | 15.6” x 7.5” x 11.2” (395 x 190 x 284 mm) |
| Impedance | 6 ohms nominal (3.1 ohms minimum above 80Hz, measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 4 ohms nominal |
| Drivers | 6.5” Black Glass Fibre Matrix Cone woofer, 4” Black Glass Fibre Matrix Cone midrange, 27x90mm AMT tweeter | 1” Scanspeak dome tweeter with waveguide, 6.5” Purifi extended-stroke woofer, dual 6.5” passive radiators |
| Sensitivity | 87dB (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 83.1dB (2.83V/1m, measured by Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Weight | 45 lbs (20.4 kg) each | 19 lbs (8.6 kg) each |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, rear | Passive radiator loaded |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 6.03 | 5.84 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.65 | 7.61 |
| DIY Kit | No | No |
| Crossover Frequency | - | 2000Hz |
| Frequency Response | - | 36Hz - 30kHz ±3dB (Manufacturer specified) |
| Recommended Power | - | 60W - 200W |
| Country | - | Denmark |
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